This is my first year teaching 5th grade American History. I want to make it more interactive and project based learning for my kids, but am running low on ideas... We are about to start a unit on the settling of the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies, but I am not sure what I can do to make it more fun for the kids.

An idea I have seen a few versions of around the internet is to have the kids create their own colonies. I did this with my class by giving each group a map outline, with scale, lines of latitude and longitude, and one major river already added. (The latitudes corresponded with New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.) They then had a number of tasks as they developed the colony. They had to add in mountains, forest, and other features (obviously the mountains had to make sense with the location of the river). They had to write a geographical report on their colony's climate, vegetation, environment and resources - in keeping with the topography and location. They added towns, roads, etc, drew a town map showing the main trades and services, and wrote up information on these. They were given characters based on people off the Mayflower passenger list and wrote diaries. They wrote about how and why their colony started and what kind of government they developed. Each task also involved an oral presentation to the class.

bridgitta

03-16-2012 03:59 PM

I'm in the same boat as MrsTchrAB. However, I did intern with 5th grade a few years ago. My mentor teacher had a resource book where I found a board game called "Road to Freedom." It was about the hardships of moving from one colony to another for religious freedom. I left the games with my mentor and now I can't find the resource anywhere (contacted her- she switched grades and you know how that goes)! Does anyone happen to know what I am referring to and where I can find it?
Thanks!

rsjh1

12-03-2011 01:17 PM

Thanks for the great lessons! I am always looking for more ideas and you gave me a bunch.

momagain

11-24-2011 06:59 AM

Thanks for being so generous with your lesson plans. My kids will enjoy these projects.

Doc Dread

11-24-2011 06:02 AM

School tube and Teachertube also have some cool videos on American history:

Thank you so much for all your ideas. I appreciate your feedback on the lessons too!

THANKS!

mrsb12247

11-05-2011 03:29 PM

"Which colony would you have preferred?"

mrsb12247

11-05-2011 03:26 PM

But this was a good one too

mrsb12247

11-05-2011 03:24 PM

This was a debate about which section of the colonies was "best"...they had a TON of fun and it was great to make them think on their feet.

mrsb12247

11-05-2011 03:23 PM

Did this one too...would shorten it if I did it again

mrsb12247

11-05-2011 03:21 PM

This is the map that goes with the previous activity

mrsb12247

11-05-2011 03:20 PM

in the next post, I'll include the map...

MrsTchrAB

11-03-2011 08:08 PM

Hello,

This is my first year teaching 5th grade American History. I want to make it more interactive and project based learning for my kids, but am running low on ideas... We are about to start a unit on the settling of the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies, but I am not sure what I can do to make it more fun for the kids.